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Patron Saints
 For centuries God has bestowed miraculous help on mankind through His Saints. Although you can pray to any saint for any need, through the centuries the saints have demonstrated their special protection and guardianship over certain areas of life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century. In some cases popes and bishops have named patron saints, but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well.
Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area. For example, St. Francis of Assisi loved nature and so he has been named the patron of ecologists. St. Francis de Sales was a writer and so he is patron of journalists and writers. St. Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard Christmas Mass -- even though it was taking place miles away. Angels can also be named as patron saints. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God.
To see an icon of a patron saint and find out more about them, just click on the textlink for their name.
Our list of patron saints is divided into five sections:
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 Illnesses, Infirmities & Dangers
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Spiritual Life
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Professions and Stations in Life
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Countries
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Miscellaneous Subjects
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